Dress rehearsal is over. The playoffs are here.
Week 14 action kicks off with tonight’s matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Chicago Bears at 8:25 Eastern.
Houston’s Ryan Fitzpatrick became the latest quarterback to enter the 6-touchdown club last week, taking on 358 yards on 24-of-33 passes in the Texans’ win over the hapless Tennessee Titans. Don’t rush to add him for the playoffs, as he is entirely too inconsistent. Still, he’s got an attractive matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars this week. Make of that what you will.
Speaking of Fitz, DeAndre Hopkins led all receivers in PPR leagues last week with 258 yards and two touchdowns on 9 catches. Roll him out this week against the Jags; he’ll probably be good for at least one. Indy’s Donte Moncrief torched the Redskins for 134 yards and two touchdowns on just 4 catches; I like his chances to get another one this week, especially if Joe Haden swallows up T.Y. Hilton in the secondary.
Rams running back Tre Mason absolutely dismantled the Raiders nearly singlehandedly last week, going for 164 total yards, two rushing touchdowns, and an additional receiving score. Mason faces a tough matchup against the Redskins this week; start him with caution. Meanwhile, Le’Veon Bell ran for 95 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers’ disappointing loss to the Saints, adding another 159 yards on eight catches. Bell will keep it rolling this week against the Bengals; he’s our number one running back in Week 14.
For those who read last week’s Fantasy Football Preview, Indy’s Daniel “Boom” Herron went off for 88 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Redskins, although he did lose a fumble for the second straight week. Miami’s Jarvis Landry was also effective, if somewhat disappointing, catching eight balls for 68 yards.
Here are this week’s player rankings for all offensive positions except kicker to get you prepped for the playoffs, and some sleepers to ensure you’ll make it through to the next round.
Player Rankings, Week 14
QB
1. Aaron Rodgers, GB (vs. ATL)
2. Peyton Manning, DEN (vs. BUF)
3. Drew Brees, NO (vs. CAR)
4. Andrew Luck, IND (@CLE)
5. Tom Brady, NE (@SD)
6. Tony Romo, DAL (@CHI)
7. Russell Wilson, SEA (@PHI)
8. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (@CIN)
9. Matthew Stafford, DET (vs. TB)
10. Ryan Tannehill, MIA (vs. BAL)
RB
1. Le’Veon Bell, PIT (@CIN)
2. Arian Foster, HOU (@JAX)
3. DeMarco Murray, DAL (@CHI)
4. Matt Forte, CHI (vs. DAL)
5. Eddie Lacy, GB (vs. ATL)
6. Marshawn Lynch, SEA (@PHI)
7. Jamaal Charles, KC (@ARI)
8. C.J. Anderson, DEN (vs. BUF)
9. LeSean McCoy, PHI (vs. SEA)
10. Justin Forsett, BAL (@MIA)
WR
1. Calvin Johnson, DET (vs. TB)
2. Demaryius Thomas, DEN (vs. BUF)
3. Jordy Nelson, GB (vs. ATL)
4. Antonio Brown, PIT (@CIN)
5. Dez Bryant, DAL (@CHI)
6. Julio Jones, ATL (@GB)
7. A.J. Green, CIN (vs. PIT)
8. Josh Gordon, CLE (vs. IND)
9. Odell Beckham Jr., NYG (@TEN)
10. Randall Cobb, GB (vs. ATL)
TE
1. Rob Gronkowski, NE (@SD)
2. Jimmy Graham, NO (vs. CAR)
3. Julius Thomas, DEN (vs. BUF)
4. Greg Olsen, CAR (@NO)
5. Antonio Gates, SD (vs. NE)
6. Martellus Bennett, CHI (vs. DAL)
7. Jason Witten, DAL (@CHI)
8. Delanie Walker, TEN (vs. NYG)
9. Larry Donnell, NYG (@TEN)
10. Jordan Reed, WAS (vs. StL)
Breakout Alert, Week 14
1. Stedman Bailey, WR, STL (@WAS) – Bailey had a really effective game against the Raiders last week, catching 5 balls on 6 targets for 100 yards, but no touchdowns. Tre Mason got all the attention, but Bailey is emerging as the leading receiver on the team. If you’re thin at WR, Bailey deserves at least a casual glance.
2. Kenny Stills, WR, NO (vs. CAR) – Stills will be the next-best Saints receiver not named Jimmy Graham this week when Carolina rolls into New Orleans. He went off for 168 yards and a touchdown in Week 13 against the Steelers, and this week’s matchup is decidedly more favorable against a weak Panthers secondary. Stills is sitting on the waiver wire in most leagues, so grab him if you can.
3. Bishop Sankey, RB, TEN (vs. NYG) – Simply put, Sankey’s been a huge disappointment this season, especially for those who took him in early rounds of the draft. Aside from a touchdown apiece in Weeks 4 and 11, Sankey’s been virtually silent. The reprieve comes this week against a deflated Giants team that has given up the seventh most fantasy points to running backs this season. Sankey could be one of those sneak plays that could get you through to the next round of the playoffs. Throw him in your Flex slot.
For any last-minute lineup questions, find me on Twitter @NussBB.
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